Marine fender system

ABSTRACT

A marine fender system including an L-shaped member having a spindle on which is rotatably mounted a fender, and an arm portion which is releasably connected to a locking assembly flush-mounted at an edge of a platform proximate to water.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO EXISTING APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser.No. 09/593,374 (“'374”) filed Jun. 15, 2000, entitled “Boat FenderSystem and Method,” now pending, incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to marine fenders, and more particularly toa system including a fender which is rotatable on a spindle extending inan arm releasably connected to a locking assembly flush-mounted at anedge of a dock or floating platform, or boat.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Our '374 application discloses a boat fender system having acylindrical fender rotatably mounted on a spindle portion of a U-shapedmember extending in a lateral arm portion releasably connected to alocking assembly attached to the stem or gunwale of a boat. Related artreferences cited therein include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,998,997, 4,841,893,5,701,837 and 6,021,729.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 2,751,410 to W. D. Marr is directed to aboat-mounted bumper assembly having a wheel disposed to engage the sidewall of a dock in a rolling movement. The assembly includes a casinghaving a cylindrical portion with an axial bore, and a flanged base witha flat bottom face for bolting to a deck. Within the bore is journalleda shaft having a yoke with two arms between which is an axle-mountedrotatable wheel with an air-inflated tire.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,145,685 to E. L. Kulick, Sr. is directed tobumpers for boats or docks. In one embodiment an elongated channelmember is attached to a dock piling, the member extending into thewater. Torque rods are fitted into opposite ends of a tubular corealigning cushion rollers disposed end-to-end. The upper portions of therods are angled outwardly to provide a swinging movement of the rollerstoward and away from the piling. When a boat engages the rollers, therods swing inwardly creating torsion. When pressure is relieved, thetorsion returns the rollers to their outward position. In anotherembodiment a bumper for a side or bow portion of a boat includes a tubewith a torsion rod therethrough. The rod cannot rotate so rotation ofthe tube causes a torque on the rod at one end. Extending from the tubeare arms having bearings through which is an axle extending throughend-to-end cushion rollers. Under impact, the arms and rollers have adownward swinging action.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a marinefender system which permits a fender to be rapidly connected to anddisconnected from a locking assembly attached at an edge of a dock orfloating platform, or boat.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a system whichprovides a flush-mounted locking assembly so as to preclude trippingover the assembly when not in use.

[0010] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a systemwherein a fender comes into rolling rather than frictional contact witha boat's paintwork.

[0011] Other objects of the invention will become evident when thefollowing description is considered with the accompanying drawingfigures. In the figures and description, numerals indicate the variousfeatures of the invention, like numerals referring to like featuresthroughout both the drawings and description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] These and other objects are achieved by the present inventionwhich in one aspect provides a marine fender system including anL-shaped member having a spindle portion, an elbow portion attached at ajuncture to the spindle portion, and an arm portion attached to theelbow portion and parallel to the spindle portion so that the spindle,elbow and arm portions are coplanar. The arm portion terminates in anend portion releasably connected at an edge of a platform proximate towater. The system further includes a marine fender having a body portioncylindrical about a longitudinal axis and determined by a wall having anouter surface and top and bottom portions. The fender is freelyrotatable about the spindle portion. The juncture flexes when a torqueis exerted on the spindle portion due to pressure on the fender, so thatthe fender executes small vibrational motions in the plane determined bythe spindle, elbow and arm portions.

[0013] In another aspect the invention provides a marine fender systemincluding an L-shaped member having a spindle portion, an elbow portionattached to the spindle portion, and an arm portion attached to theelbow portion and parallel to the spindle portion. The arm portionterminates in an end portion. The system further includes a sleevehaving a polygonal outer surface, upper and lower ends, and a bore. Thearm end portion is closely received within the bore and attached to thesleeve. The system further includes a marine fender of a preselectedlength and diameter having a body portion cylindrical about alongitudinal axis and determined by a wall with an outer surface and topand bottom portions, each portion circumferentially attached to the walland having a central hole. The holes are opposed ends of an axial tubethrough which the spindle portion is closely received so that the fenderis freely rotatable about the spindle portion. The system furtherincludes locking means for releasably connecting the arm end portion atan edge of a platform proximate to water.

[0014] In yet another aspect the invention provides a marine fendersystem including an L-shaped member having a spindle portion terminatingin a threaded end portion, an elbow portion attached and orthogonal tothe spindle portion, and an arm portion attached and orthogonal to theelbow portion and parallel to the spindle portion. The arm portionterminates in an end portion. A sleeve having a polygonal outer surface,planar upper and lower ends, and a bore, receives and is attached to thearm end portion. The system further includes an annular collar attachedto the sleeve upper end, and a locking assembly including a plate havingplanar upper and lower surfaces and a polygonal hole, and a cylindricaltube having upper and lower ends. The tube upper end is attached to theplate lower surface, and the tube is aligned with the polygonal hole.The sleeve is inserted through the polygonal hole in a preselectedorientation and received within the tube until the collar contacts theplate upper surface.

[0015] The system further includes a marine fender having a body portioncylindrical about a longitudinal axis and determined by a wall with anouter surface, and top and bottom portions each circumferentiallyattached to the wall and having a central hole. The holes are opposedends of a tube disposed along the axis. The spindle portion is closelyreceived within the tube and the fender is freely rotatable about thespindle portion.

[0016] A more complete understanding of the present invention and otherobjects, aspects and advantages thereof will be gained from aconsideration of the following description of the preferred embodimentread in conjunction with the accompanying drawings provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a marine fender systemincluding an L-shaped member having a spindle portion on which anair-inflated fender is rotatably mounted, and an arm releasably receivedwithin a locking assembly.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 system with the lockingassembly flush-mounted at the edge of a dock or floating platform.

[0019]FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the FIG. 2 system taken along thelines 3-3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] While the present invention is open to various modifications andalternative constructions, the preferred embodiment shown in thedrawings will be described herein in detail. It is to be understood,however, there is no intention to limit the invention to the particularform disclosed. On the contrary, it is intended that the invention coverall modifications, equivalences and alternative constructions fallingwithin the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in theappended claims.

[0021] Where used herein, the words “connected” and “connecting” meanthat the two parts referred to (e.g., an arm and a locking assembly) canbe readily separated after being joined together in an interlockingcombination. Where used herein, the word “attached” means that the twoparts referred to are either fabricated in a single piece, screwed orbolted together, or joined in a combination that would not normally bedisassembled. However, other forms of attachment may be suitable,consistent with simplicity of manufacture and reliability of operation.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a marine fender system 10according to the invention includes an L-shaped member 12 having agenerally linear spindle portion 14 having a threaded end portion 16, agenerally linear elbow portion 18 attached at a juncture 19 to spindleportion 14 and generally orthogonal to the spindle portion, and agenerally linear arm portion 20 attached and generally orthogonal toelbow portion 18 and generally parallel to spindle portion 14, andhaving an end portion 22. Thus spindle portion 14, elbow portion 18 andarm portion 20 are substantially coplanar. Preferably, member 12 is madefrom a single piece of type 304 stainless steel round bar, ⅝-inch indiameter. Preferably, spindle portion 14, elbow portion 18, and armportion 20 are about 22, 8, and 11 inches in length, respectively. Armend portion 22 is closely received within a bore 24H of a hexagonalsleeve 24 having an upper end 24U to which is attached an annular collar26, and a lower end 24L. Preferably, sleeve 24 is welded to end portion22 and collar 26. As seen in FIG. 3, end portion 22 terminates in an end22E which coincides with lower end 24L.

[0023] System 10 further includes a locking assembly 30 including aplate 32, determined by generally planar upper and lower surfaces 32U,32L, respectively, having therethrough a hexagonal hole 32H and aplurality of bolt-holes 34. Locking assembly 30 further includes acylindrical tube 36 having upper and lower ends 36U, 36L, respectively.Tube 36 is rigidly attached at end 36U to surface 32L and disposed sothat it is aligned with hole 32H. As shown in FIG. 3, a washer 38 isattached to tube end 36L.

[0024] System 10 further includes an air-inflated marine fender 40having a hollow body portion 42 generally cylindrical about alongitudinal axis and determined by a wall 42W of marine grade vinylresin with an outer surface 42S, and generally convexly arcuate top andbottom portions 44, 46, respectively, circumferentially attached to wall42W at watertight seams 48, 50, respectively. Referring to FIG. 3,portions 44 and 46 each have therethrough a central hole 44H, 46H,respectively, which are opposed ends of a tube 52 disposed along theaxis. As described in the '374 application, spindle portion 14 isclosely received within tube 52 so that fender 40 is freely rotatableabout its longitudinal axis. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the fender issecured on the spindle portion by a washer 54 and thumb-nut 56 connectedto threaded end portion 16. Preferably, the spindle and fender lengthsare selected so that the fender has about 1½ inches of play in which tomove longitudinally.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, after boring a hole 60 slightlydeeper than the length of tube 36 into a platform 62 at a predeterminedlocation near an edge 64 proximate to water, the tube is inserted intothe hole and plate 32 is attached to the platform with bolts 66. Fender40 is deployed by inserting hexagonal sleeve 24 through hexagonal hole32H in an orientation such that member 12 is in a plane generallyorthogonal to edge 64, and continuing insertion into tube 36 untilcollar 26 contacts surface 32U. FIG. 2 shows the deployed fender inrelation to the platform edge. The fender is easily removed from lockingassembly 30 by pulling upward on arm portion 20. When the fender isdisengaged from the locking assembly, the only portion of the assemblyexternal to the platform surface is the thin plate. It is thereforehighly unlikely that a careless or unwary person would trip over theflush-mounted plate.

[0026] A boat hull exerting sufficient pressure on the fender creates atorque on spindle portion 14 thereby creating flexure at juncture 19 sothat the spindle portion is deflected inwardly in the plane determinedby the spindle, elbow and arm portions. When pressure is removed thespindle portion returns to its unperturbed state. Thus the fenderexecutes small vibrational motions generally orthogonal to the hull asthe hull bumps against the platform.

What is claimed is:
 1. A marine fender system comprising: an L-shapedmember having a spindle portion of a preselected length, an elbowportion attached at a juncture to the spindle portion, and an armportion attached to the elbow portion and generally parallel to thespindle portion, the arm portion terminating in an end portion, thespindle, elbow and arm portions substantially coplanar, said end portionreleasably connected at an edge of a platform proximate to water; and amarine fender of a preselected length and diameter having a body portiongenerally cylindrical about a longitudinal axis and determined by a wallhaving an outer surface, and top and bottom portions, each said portioncircumferentially attached to said wall and having a central holetherethrough, said holes being opposed ends of a tube disposed alongsaid axis, said spindle portion closely received within the tube, thefender freely rotatable about the spindle portion, said juncture flexingwhen a predetermined minimum torque is exerted on the spindle portiondue to a predetermined minimum pressure on the fender, so that thefender executes small vibrational motions in the plane determined by thespindle, elbow and arm portions.
 2. A marine fender system comprising:an L-shaped member having a spindle portion of a preselected length, anelbow portion attached to the spindle portion, and an arm portionattached to the elbow portion and generally parallel to the spindleportion, the arm portion terminating in an end portion; a sleevedetermined by a polygonal outer surface, upper and lower ends, and abore therethrough, said end portion closely received within the bore andattached to the sleeve; a marine fender of a preselected length anddiameter having a body portion generally cylindrical about alongitudinal axis and determined by a wall having an outer surface, andtop and bottom portions, each said portion circumferentially attached tosaid wall and having a central hole therethrough, said holes beingopposed ends of a tube disposed along said axis, said spindle portionclosely received within the tube, the fender freely rotatable about thespindle portion; and locking means for releasably connecting the arm endportion at an edge of a platform proximate to water.
 3. The system ofclaim 2 werein said locking means comprises a plate determined bygenerally planar upper and lower surfaces and having a polygonal holetherethrough, and a cylindrical tube of a predetermined lengthdetermined by upper and lower ends, the tube upper end attached to theplate lower surface, the tube aligned with said polygonal hole, thesleeve inserted through the polygonal hole in a preselected orientationand received within the tube.
 4. The system of claim 3 wherein thefender length is sufficiently shorter than the spindle length, therebyallowing the fender to move longitudinally over a preselected distance.5. The system of claim 4, wherein said sleeve polygonal outer surfaceand said plate polygonal hole are hexagonal.
 6. A marine fender systemcomprising: an L-shaped member having a generally linear spindle portionof a preselected length terminating in a threaded end portion, agenerally linear elbow portion of a preselected length attached andgenerally orthogonal to the spindle portion, and a generally linear armportion of a preselected length attached and generally orthogonal to theelbow portion and generally parallel to the spindle portion, the armportion terminating in an end portion; a sleeve of a preselected lengthdetermined by a polygonal outer surface, generally planar upper andlower ends, and a bore therethrough, said end portion closely receivedwithin the bore and attached to the sleeve; a generally planar collarwith a central hole therethrough attached to the sleeve upper end, thearm end portion closely received through the hole; and a lockingassembly comprising a plate determined by generally planar upper andlower surfaces and having a polygonal hole therethrough, and acylindrical tube of a preselected length determined by upper and lowerends, the tube upper end attached to the plate lower surface, the tubealigned with said polygonal hole, the sleeve inserted through thepolygonal hole in a preselected orientation and received within the tubeuntil the collar contacts the plate upper surface.
 7. The system ofclaim 6 further comprising: a marine fender of a preselected length anddiameter having a body portion generally cylindrical about alongitudinal axis and determined by a wall with a preselected thicknesshaving an outer surface, and top and bottom portions eachcircumferentially attached to said wall and having a central holetherethrough, said holes being opposed ends of a tube disposed alongsaid axis, said spindle portion closely received within the tube, thefender freely rotatable about the spindle portion.
 8. The system ofclaim 7 wherein the fender length is sufficiently shorter than thespindle length to allow the fender to move longitudinally over apreselected distance when a washer and thumb-nut are connected to thespindle threaded end portion.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein: saidspindle portion length is about twenty-two inches; said elbow portionlength is about eight inches; and said arm portion length is abouteleven inches.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the L-shaped member isfabricated from a unitary piece of type 304 stainless steel round bar,five-eighths inch in diameter.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein saidsleeve polygonal outer surface and said plate polygonal hole arehexagonal.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein said plate is attached atan edge of a platform proximate to water.
 13. The system of claim 12wherein said sleeve orientation is such that the arm, elbow and spindleportions are in a plane generally orthogonal to the platform edge.